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Friday, January 29, 2010

The Sleep Lady's Good Night, Sleep Tight is sitting in my review pile. I really need to move it closer to the top because we've been having all kinds of sleep issues around here. My 15-month old is getting more teeth and it has thrown off everything from naps to bedtime. It probably doesn't help that she has a mom who has lots of insomnia issues as well. I am really hoping that some of the tips in this book will help us to sleep better at home and to get her sleeping in the crib at Grandpa's again instead of in the bed with us. Here is an article by the author, Kim West, to give you some sleep info until I can get a complete review done.

Did you know that getting 7-8 hours of sleep at night can help you live longer, be thinner, think clearer and look younger? Despite these incredible benefits more then half of U.S. adults get less then 7-8 hours of sleep at night!

If you are one of the 75% of adults who report having a sleep problem, consider some of these helpful sleep tips to start to get the sleep you need and your body craves:

• Go to bed and wake up at around the same time (and while you have young children you might want to set your bedtime earlier than usual). Even on weekends, try not to modify it by more than an hour. Routines "condition" us for sleep, psychologically and physiologically, and the conditioned response then makes it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.

• Give yourself plenty of time to wind down, letting your body and mind become more relaxed and ready for sleep. Listen to quiet music, take a bath, or read a book. Some people find that light stretches, meditation, creative visualization, or progressive relaxation helps.

• If you need to catch up, rather than tinker too much with your nightly sleep schedule, take naps. But either take a short twenty- to thirty-minute nap or take a longer ninety- to hundred-minute nap so you don't wake up during a non-REM sleep cycle and feel groggy. Before I learned that, I used to set the alarm for one hour and wake up feeling lethargic and lousy, like I needed a major infusion of caffeine.

• Make sure your bed and your bedroom are sleep friendly. Your room should be quiet, dark, and secure, and your mattress, pillows, and sheets should be comfortable. Sort out any temperature-control issues with your partner or spouse!

• Exercise at least twenty to thirty minutes three times a week, but try to do it in the morning or during the day, not in the evening. If possible, leave at least three to four hours between strenuous exercise and sleep, and you certainly don't want to work out right before you go to bed.

• Try to get some natural light in the afternoon. Go for a walk or sit in a sunny room, and try to get out of the house or at least briefly escape your artificially lit office cubicle.

• Eat dinner at least three hours before going to bed.

• Reduce your caffeine consumption (two cups maximum), and don't have any caffeine for at least six to eight hours before bedtime because it stays in your bloodstream. Caffeine doesn't just mean coffee -- it means tea, many sodas, chocolate, and some over-the-counter cold and headache remedies. We become more sensitive to caffeine as we approach our forties.

• Nicotine is a stimulant, so if you haven't stopped smoking, poor sleep is yet another incentive.

• Watch your alcohol consumption. Alcohol may help you fall asleep, but more than three to five glasses, even less for some individuals, fragment our sleep. We wake up more often at night and earlier in the morning.

Author BioKim West, LCSW-C, known as The Sleep Lady®, has helped thousands of tired parents gently teach their babies and children how to go to sleep and stay asleep. West has appeared on Dr. Phil, the Today Show, NBC Nightly News, Good Morning America, TLC's Bringing Home Baby, and CNN, and has been written about in a number of publications including The Wall Street Journal,Associated Press, Parents, Baby Talk, Parenting, the Baltimore Sun, USA Today, and the Washington Post. West hosts the sleep section of The Newborn Channel, played in maternity wards in hospitals across the country. She is the mother of two daughters and a licensed child and family therapist, practicing for over seventeen years. She lives with her family in Annapolis, Maryland.

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Links to Amazon.com are affiliate links and I do earn a small percentage for each item purchased through those links. Any other referral or associate links will be noted within the post.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Luce Price has been sent to the Sword & Cross reform school after a fire mysteriously kills a boy she is with and Luce is unable to recall the details of what happened. On her first day, she spots Daniel who seems instantly familiar and she is quickly intrigued by him. She is also bewildered as he tends to run hot and cold for no reason, nice to her one minute and pushing her away the next. Cam, on the other hand, is definitely interested in getting to know Luce better. Although Luce is drawn to him as well, she is more cautious as something in their relationship doesn't seem quite right.

I greatly enjoyed Fallen. The setting at the reform school is creepy, complete with swamp and cemetery. The kids that Luce meets at the school each have their role to play in the story, although it isn't always the role you would first guess. Kate does a great job of providing the reader with some information that Luce does not know through the prologue to the book but still leaving enough questions that the reader understands Luce's confusion at the mysterious events that are taking place. There is so much Luce doesn't know and Daniel and the other students cannot tell her until she is able to uncover enough knowledge on her own.

As the first book in the series, Fallen leaves enough open questions to set up the next book but does provide some initial answers. There were a couple of questions that weren't answered that I fear might become loose ends if not answered quickly in the next book. I would hate to see the author mar the series by leaving open plot holes along the way. I also hope that future books in the series have covers as beautiful as this one. Fallen was a fast read for me and left me wanting to find out more about Luce and Daniel's history as well as their future.

A big Thank You to Mary at BookHounds for sending me this advance reader's copy after holding a contest for it at her blog. The book was provided with no expectation of a review and all opinions presented above are my own.

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Links to Amazon.com are affiliate links and I do earn a small percentage for each item purchased through those links. Any other referral or associate links will be noted within the post.

Living the Law of Attraction is a collection of stories based around the theme of people using the Law of Attraction to improve their lives. The stories range from conquering health issues to earning large amounts of money to improving relationships to living one's passion. Rich German says the intent of the book is to provide inspiration so the reader can see that ordinary people are achieving extraordinary things using the Law of Attraction.

I mentioned in my Sunday Salon post that I was unimpressed with this book and wasn't sure I would finish it. While I did finish reading all of the stories, I remain unimpressed. Each story was only two to three pages long and followed the same format: My life was miserable because (fill in the blank), I either discovered (the Law of Attraction, The Secret (DVD), or The Secret (book)) or I started using these ideas without knowing that is what I was doing, I completely changed my way of thinking, and my life got so much better. For me these stories almost all lacked the key component, the necessary bit of information, HOW did the person get their thinking turned around... WHAT did that person do that improved their life so much? Out of all the stories in the book, I would say less than five actually included that specific, detailed level of information. I realize the HOW and the WHAT are going to be different for each of us depending on where we are coming from and where we are trying to go but having guideposts would be better than nothing.

It also felt that each story was simply another marketing vehicle for the person telling it. It is interesting to me how many of these people either have books available, are motivational speakers, life coaches, real estate agents, or have some other service that you can pay for if you go to their website. It seems that there is a personality type best suited for work with the Law of Attraction or at least, a personality type willing to tell you all about it.

The best part of this entire book for me was actually the introduction where Rich German outlines specific, daily actions that each of us can take that will help move us toward reaching our goals. I have begun following some of this information and I am hoping that it, at the very least, will help me clarify exactly what it is that I want so I can move toward getting it. I think many people misunderstand the Law of Attraction and believe that it does not require them to put in any effort toward obtaining their goal. Unfortunately, I do not think the stories in this book do much to counteract that way of thinking.

Do you have any experience with the Law of Attraction or The Secret? I'd love to hear about it!

I received this book for review quite some time ago and if it came with any paperwork I have since lost it so I am unable to properly credit where I received it. I believe that it was either directly through the authors or a publicist and that the initial offer came through Bostick Communications.

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Links to Amazon.com are affiliate links and I do earn a small percentage for each item purchased through those links. Any other referral or associate links will be noted within the post.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

The Gypsy Morph is the final book in The Genesis of Shannara trilogy, finishing the story began in Armageddon's Children and continued in The Elves of Cintra. Will the boy, Hawk, lead the children to safety? Will the elves survive their journey in the Loden? Will the Knights of the Word survive at all? How does the world end?

Brooks again masterfully weaves together the separate tales that he has created for each main group of characters, finally connecting them so the reader can gain a different perspective of the whole picture. Although, in a way, we know the outcome of this story, Brooks now fills in the details along the way. Each character is carefully crafted and has a unique personality that fits the role they must play. Brooks builds his world with so much detail that it is almost another character in the story, impacting the choices the other characters must make. Emotions run high in this book with fear and doubt only slightly tempered by hope.

The Gypsy Morph is a a satisfying conclusion to The Genesis of Shannara trilogy. It contains much darkness but finally begins the journey into the light. The Genesis of Shannara books do a great job at bridging the gap between The Word and The Void series and the rest of the Shannara story.

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Links to Amazon.com are affiliate links and I do earn a small percentage for each item purchased through those links. Any other referral or associate links will be noted within the post.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Happy Sunday! The Sunday Salon is a place for readers and bloggers to come together and discuss what we are reading today. For many, myself included, it has also become a way to recap the week and share stories of our lives beyond reading.

Last week seemed to go on forever. My husband worked his usual two evenings but also ended up working later on a third evening plus giving blood afterward so for the first part of the week it felt like he was hardly home. He barely got to see our adorable daughter because she would barely be up when he left for work and a few nights she was already in bed when he got home. This made for some long, tiring days for me! I'm excited that he has the day off tomorrow for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day so we can have some extra family time after missing out on it last night.

I'm still keeping up with my Wii workouts using EA Sports Active. I really enjoy the variety of exercises that I can fit into a 20 to 30 minute workout but I have to say it is killing my knees! I messed up my right knee several years ago when I was working with a trainer at the gym so I have to be very careful and Active wants me to do quite a bit of lunges and squats. I'm just taking it easy with those for now during the 30-day challenge but I think when I start building my own workouts I won't include them quite as much. I'm guessing that I'll want the additional workouts from EA Sports at some point if the first one gets a bit boring after a while.

As far as reading goes, I did actually manage to complete a book last week. I wasn't sure if I would get through The Gypsy Morph by Terry Brooks in one week or not. It isn't that the books are so long but that I never know how much actual reading time I will have and Brooks is not an author I can skim at all. His characters, stories, and worlds are very detailed and I need to soak it all in. I should get my review for this posted soon. Then I will be all caught up on my reviewing!

I am currently reading Living the Law of Attraction but so far I'm not impressed. The stories are two to three pages long and at the end of each it just feels like a marketing blurb for that person's website or book or service as a speaker. I'm not sure that I'm going to finish this one, though I do want to work through some of the information that was presented in the introductory section.

Giveaway Notes: If you haven't already, please stop by and enter my January 2010 Giveaway. I'm giving the winner their choice of one of five books that I want to get off my shelves to clear some space. If this one goes well, the giveaway will be a monthly event. The deadline to request a book is January 27, 2010.

I'm not giving away an E-reader but Monica at The Bibliophilic Book Blog is so check out this post for details. This one doesn't end until March 1, 2010 so there is still time to enter.

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Links to Amazon.com are affiliate links and I do earn a small percentage for each item purchased through those links. Any other referral or associate links will be noted within the post.

Our diets are in peril! Like clockwork, as soon as the New Year begins, so do all those ads telling us how unfit we are. There are so many diet plans that would have us beat the battle of the bulge as we enter a new year. But while we all scramble in the grocery store to find something healthy to cook, my sweet tooth has kicked in and I am craving something sinfully sweet and succulent to help ward off the winter blues. That nagging feeling leads me right to the produce department. Aha, caught you! Maybe you thought that I was going to recommend some cake, pie, cookies or ice cream. Not a chance. I am thinking sweets that are good for you like baked apples with walnuts and figs, or pears baked in wine. All the ingredients to make them are readily available and the recipes are easy to make. But the best part is how surprisingly good they taste, leaving you not caring a wit if you ever eat pie, cake or cookies again. Your diet, if you stay on it, will thank you.

Put the figs in a small bowl and cover them with hot water; allow them to stand for 30 minutes to soften them. Drain them, cut off the stems and discard them. Cut the figs into small pieces and place them in a bowl with the apricots and walnuts. Stir in the honey and coat the fruits well.

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Divide and stuff the mixture in the cored apples.

Dot the apples with the butter and place them in a baking dish.

Pour the orange juice in the bottom of the dish.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the apples are just soft but not collapsed.
Serve warm with some of the pan juices.

Note: The apples can also be cooked in a microwave oven on high power for 4 to 5 minutes. Microwaves vary, so check your settings.

Make a slit with a small knife near the stem of each fig just large enough to form a small hole with your finger. Stuff some of the walnuts into each fig and place them stem side up in the casserole side by side.

Heat the wine and honey in a small saucepan just until the mixture is smooth. Pour over the figs.
Sprinkle them with the zest and cover the casserole tightly with foil or oven proof cover.

Bake 30 minutes.

Cool the casserole to room temperature.
Place 3 figs on each of the 4 dessert bowls and pour some of the wine sauce over each.

With a small knife remove a small slice from the bottom of each pear to make it stand upright. Using a vegetable peeler, remove 4 or 5 long narrow strips of skin from each pear to make a striped look. Place the pears upright in a deep 3 inch baking dish just large enough to hold them snugly.

Separately combine the juice and wine together and pour over the pears.

Sprinkle each pear with 1 tablespoon of sugar.

Bake the pears uncovered for about 35 minutes, basting them occasionally with the wine sauce.

The pears are done when a knife is easily inserted into them; do not overbake them or they will collapse. When cooked, transfer the pears with a slotted spoon to a serving dish.

Pour the wine sauce into a small saucepan and add the remaining 1/2 cup sugar. Bring the mixture to boil, then reduce the heat to low and cook until the liquid is reduced by half and is syrupy looking.

Remove the pan from the heat.

Baste the pears with the syrup frequently and refrigerate them at least one hour before serving.

To serve, place the pears on individual dessert dishes and spoon some of the sauce over each one.

With a small sieve sprinkle confectioners sugar over each pear for a beautiful striped effect.

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Links to Amazon.com are affiliate links and I do earn a small percentage for each item purchased through those links. Any other referral or associate links will be noted within the post.